The Orlando Magic and the NBA are constantly in action, and The Magic Insider, powered by Sports Illustrated, is here to keep you up to date on all the latest news and rumours from Central Florida and beyond.
MAR 10 KLAY’S TRADE INTEREST WITH MAGIC It has been just over a month since the NBA Trade Deadline, and while the Orlando Magic did not make a trade, they expressed interest in doing so.
SNY’s Ian Begley confirms that the Magic were interested in dealing for Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, who is about to become a free agent.
Thompson might sign with the Magic this offseason, as they have more than $30 million in cap space.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET at the Kia Centre.
MAR 1 MAGIC MATCH LAST YEAR’S WINS TOTAL The Orlando Magic are 34-26 in 60 games this season. Last year, the squad finished 34-48.
With all of March and half of April remaining, the Magic have matched their win total from a year ago.
So far this season, only the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder have matched or topped last year’s win total.
FEB 20: MAGIC TV RATINGS INCREASE The Orlando Magic is over.500 during the All-Star break, giving fans an incentive to watch.
According to the Sports Business Journal, Magic viewing on Bally Sports Florida, the team’s regional sports network, has increased by 76 percent.
The Magic’s gain ranks fourth in the NBA, after only the defending champion Denver Nuggets (139 percent), the top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves (107 percent), and the Phoenix Suns (94 percent).
FEB 19: NETS FIRE VAUGHN A former Orlando Magic coach is looking for a new position.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Brooklyn Nets have fired coach Jacque Vaughn, who played with the Magic in 2002-03 and coached them from 2012-15.
Vaughn, 49, led the Nets to a 21-33 record before the All-Star break, which culminated in a 50-point loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
FEB 17: MAC’S FIRST DUNK! Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung is hoping to defend his Dunk Contest championship, and he’s off to a good start.
McClung scored a 48/50 for the dunk, putting him in second position entering the second round.
Check out O’Neal’s jersey unveiling, which occurred during the Magic’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
February 13: Shaq vs. Kanye. On Tuesday, the Orlando Magic will pay tribute to Shaquille O’Neal by hanging his No. 32 jersey in the rafters. But, before the ceremony, O’Neal resorted to social media to exchange words with musician Kanye West.
West and O’Neal attended the Super Bowl on Sunday in Las Vegas, but Shaq was not a fan of Kanye’s behaviour both during and before the game.
The comment has now been deleted from Instagram, indicating that Shaq is moving on as he gets honoured by the Magic after tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
FEB 7 MAC McCLUNG RETURNS TO DUNK CONTEST The Orlando Magic will have a representative in this year’s Dunk Contest.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, G League player Mac McClung plans to defend his championship at next weekend’s Dunk Contest. McClung will compete with Jacob Toppin (New York Knicks), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami Heat), and Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics).
The Dunk Contest is scheduled for Saturday, February 17, in Indianapolis.
On February 1, Paolo was named an All-Star. Paolo Banchero is now an All-Star, as the NBA announced its reserves for the game later this month.
So far this season, the youthful Orlando Magic star is averaging 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, demonstrating that his first career selection was well-deserved.
Here’s a look at the remaining All-Stars.